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Boxing

'The boxing story' - Chris Billam-Smith's mental fortitude to deliver the limelight he deserves

Gareth Jones
'The boxing story' - Chris Billam-Smith's mental fortitude to deliver the limelight he deservesDAZN

It sums up Chris Billam-Smith's career that on the same weekend he headlines a Riyadh Season event in what could prove to be one of the fights of the year, there is Texas circus upstaging proceeding. 

The WBO World Cruiserweight champion steps up to face WBA cruiserweight title holder Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez in a gripping unification bout, live and for free to all on DAZN on Saturday night.

With Jake Paul and Mike Tyson's controversial bout on Friday night stealing a lot of the limelight, you would forgive Billam-Smith for being bitter or slightly distracted. But fighting and succeeding in the shadows has been the Bournemouth boxer's MO.

Developed in Shane McGuigan's gym in London, Billam-Smith honed his craft in the same stable as Josh Taylor, Carl Frampton and Lawrence Okolie. While they were, rightly and deservedly, taking the headlines, Billam-Smith was just getting on with business. Patient, hardworking and, by some, often underrated, he has built his career to become a world champion away from the big fanfares and media circus.

It is that homeschooling and basic grounding that former WBO Super featherweight champion and DAZN pundit Barry Jones believes will serve Billam-Smith well against the odds during Latino Night.

Chris Billam-SmithRichard Heathcote/Getty Images

"He is THE boxing story. He was a good amateur but no one thought he would be where he is now," said Jones. "But he is a guy that has just built confidence up in every fight and kept winning, kept winning, kept winning.

"When he fought Richard Riakporhe early in his career he just came up short in a very close fight. There was a knock down that was controversial and that was the difference in the result. He was very bitter about that.

"But he didn't feel sorry for himself. This is what defines him. He just believes in himself. He just went back to the gym, worked really hard quietly behind the scenes and came back and kept winning again.

That 2019 Riakporhe defeat remains the only blot on his record, going on to win his next 11 fights. That included taking the WBO World Cruiserweight from Okolie at a sold out Vitality Stadium, the home of Premier League Bournemouth. 

Two successful defensives since has taken him to Riyadh and a headline act. Billed Latino Night tells you what Billam-Smith is up against, as he battles Mexican Ramirez, who has only ever lost to Dmitrii Bivol in his 47 fights to date.

Billam-Smith is the underdog, but that will not faze him according to Jones. His super strength is in his top two inches. His mental strength, belief and fight intelligence is what gives him his greatest chance to become a unified champion.

Jones added: "Ever since the Okolie fight Chris has just flourished from there. In the last 15 years I've not seen a more confident fighter than him.

"My concern is that Ramirez's style is not complimentary for Billam-Smith. That in and out with his feet, he throws lots of punches. He is not the biggest puncher but a solid hitter. Lots of energy, good footwork, so it is important Billam-Smith closes that gap quickly.

"Chris cannot allow Ramirez a big lead. Chris has to get on him early. If he doesn't do that then I think it will be a step too far for him.

"Billam-Smith fight management is key. He doesn't draw you into a war, he stops you doing what you are good at. That's how he beat Okolie.

"That is his superpower. He can change tact in a fight to stop his opponent. His strength is his mental fortitude." 

How to watch Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith free on DAZN on Saturday

Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith

Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith and the whole undercard will be broadcast live and for free on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe. 

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